'48 KB1 Axle and brake drum

Ah!

Trying to PM back to TN...can't seem to do it!


TN,

Here are the measurements...hoping you have an axle and drum that will fit my 48 KB1

Drum diameter is

12 in. inside and 13-3/4 in. outside

Axle length is

31-1/2

Kate

508 982 0635

Woodie,

Could you give me a price on the KB1 axle you have?

I assume shipping to Groveland MA will be a little pricey but that's ok.



Thank you
Kate

Hi Kate. I don’t know where you’re located but I have a complete KB1 rear end with brakes,drums etc. It has a 4:18 ratio which is no good for the street. I don’t intend to use it as I replaced it with a Ford Explorer with a 3:73 ratio.
I am in Massachusetts on the coast. You could have the rear for cheap but any shipping would be disastrous.

A Ford Explorer with a 3:73/1 is ideal and some folks on this site have run the Explorer rear ends with 3:55/1 ratio successfully. The bolt pattern allows mounting the KB wheels. One only needs to move the spring perches and have a driveshaft made to length. The whole conversion ran me about $1000.US. ( it would have been about $400 less but I made a mistake when installing the pinion bearings. My purchase was an Explorer rear with 3:08/1 that I changed to 3:73/1.

My suggestion is to find a decent Explorer rear with the ratio you want. Brakes are better and parts are easier to find.

Bob

I was reading the last two posts and I Googled the information on locations. What I found out is, the two of you live about 17 miles apart in Massachusetts.

Bob,

It would be great to improve the driveability but I doubt I could find a mechanic even if I could find parts from ford explorer.

Before the axle broke I did not feel safe driving it over 40mph.

Since it has been in the barn for the last five years and just got it back on the road, I was pretty shocked when it broke.

Could you call me so we could discuss the price of the KB axle/rear end?

I am in Groveland, MA. Not far from you on the coast. (Thanks to Nikki for pointing that out)

Kate
508 982 0635

A little history...

This truck belonged to my father. He passed in 1979. The truck was not driven from 1984 until 2014 when I scraped up enough money to hire someone to restore it from frame up.

Then due to unforseen circumstances...it stood idle in the barn til a few weeks ago when it was tuned up.

I drove it for only two days before the axle broke!

Is the axle you are looking at the same ratio as the one s the one that broke? Was it the axle housing that broke or the internal piece? Reason I asked, can possibly just replace the inside piece or replace the gear ratio in your broken one to the donor axle. Just something to think about. Always nice to keep a rig in the family.

Hi Kate. I’m in Marshfield about 64 miles south and about two hours drive. I’ll call you later today.
Bob

To Ibesq;

Its the internal piece. Do I have to worry about ratios if a replacement axle comes out of another KB1? Wouldn't they be the same?

I always said (jokingly) that I was going to post an add for a "Live In Farm Hand" to help me with the haying.
Looks like I will be editing that to include another qualification, "Mechanic"